Update: Six Cats Die In Branford House Fire; Cause of Fire Revealed

Branford police officers and firefighters are credited with helping to save the lives of several people, who were trapped inside a house at 674 Main Street that burst into flames just before 4 a.m. Tuesday.

Fire officials say a carelessly discarded cigarette is responsible for the early morning fire that led to six cats dying and eight people being displaced from their homes, the Hartford Courant reports.

Four residents living on the first floor were able to make it outside safely on their own, but police officer Bryan McGinnis ran into the fire and up to the second floor and was able to wake up and rescue John Ulrich, reports the New Haven Register.

Firefighters helped three others, who were trapped on the third floor make it out safely through the use of a ladder. Christine Nerkowski and her daughter were among those rescued by the Fire Department.

A total of eight people are now displaced because of the fire, but no one was hurt.

“I just looked out my window and I just saw flames,” said Christine Nerlowsli, who escaped the fire, according to WFSB 3 TV. “I didn’t really have time to process it. It was just wake the kids up and get them out.”

Photo: screenshot WFSB 3 TV